Behavioral states of predators stabilize predator–prey dynamics

Abstract

This study considers a common community model (i.e., Rosenzweig–MacArthur model) with an explicit consideration of the behavioral states of predators. Following a mechanistic interpretation of the functional response model in the model, a fraction of predator individuals are assumed searching for prey while the rest are assumed handling prey at any given time. How the explicit consideration of the behavioral states affects the model dynamics with respect to environmental enrichment is considered. The analysis shows that the explicit consideration of the behavioral states can substantially increase the stability of predator–prey dynamics.